In those moments the Chelsea manager didn’t look like someone in control of a pressure-cooker situation.

Villa-Boas couldn’t believe it as his side surrendered a 3-0 lead. It was a disaster for him, especially in front of owner Roman Abramovich.

He blamed referee Howard Webb but must look harder at himself.

Villas-Boas had woken to headlines claiming he would be sacked if Chelsea didn’t secure a Champions League place, but after 51 minutes he was in dreamland.

Then came United’s fightback and so stunned were Chelsea that their fans forgot to boo Rio Ferdinand.

Whether Villas-Boas survives is for Abramovich to decide but in that second half his manager had no answer to United’s dominance.

Chelsea will not finish in the top four the owner demands defending like this. They were swept away and missed their captain, John Terry.

It was Terry’s absence and Ferdinand’s presence that set the mood of this wonderful see-saw contest.

“There’s only one England captain,” the United fans chanted. One element of Chelsea’s response was unprintable.

They did taunt Ferdinand with chants of “Rio, Rio, what’s the score?” as the goals flew in. But by the end the atmosphere had changed completely. It felt as though United had won, although they should not celebrate too hard.

They are two points behind leaders Manchester City and these were points dropped. How they miss injured captain Nemanja Vidic when they are under siege and in David de Gea they have a keeper who scares defenders to death.

The young Spaniard is a great shot stopper, as he showed with his last- minute save from Juan Mata’s free-kick, but his punching is poor and his wobbles under pressure will cost United points.

In the middle of it all was World Cup final referee Webb. I’m sorry, but since South Africa, he has deteriorated.

His decision making is erratic and you sense the players don’t have the same confidence in him.

Both managers were disappointed with Webb. Villas-Boas said clubs have every right to get top referees in big matches. That is an insult to the top official in the country.

Sir Alex Ferguson went crazy on the touchline in the first half when Gary Cahill clearly fouled Danny Welbeck. Fergie insisted it was a penalty although video showed it was outside the area.

Both penalties that allowed Wayne Rooney to make it 3-2 were soft although technically correct.

Rooney was superb in the second half, sweeping the game away from Chelsea and it was his run and shot that led to Javier Hernandez heading Ryan Giggs’ cross in to make it 3-3.

Villas-Boas slumped. He had seen his side’s advantage from Jonny Evans own goal, Mata’s thunderous volley and David Luiz’s header eroded away.

This would have been a huge victory for him. He should not blame Webb too much for he has to carry responsibility for collapses like this.

Chelsea were in control and heading for the most important victory for their manager. They blew it.

When the season ends and decisions are made maybe Chelsea will look back at this Sunday as a significant moment. Maybe Abramovich will?

It proved two things. Chelsea are not good enough and Villas-Boas still has so much to learn.

Abramovich knew he was hiring potential and a top four place is a minimum requirement from his 34 year old manager. This magnificent comeback from United might well have been the moment when Villas-Boas let it slip.